UN Security Council Meeting; US Warns Iran's Response to Israel Will Have Severe Consequences

The United States Ambassador to the United Nations warned Iran that it would face "severe consequences" if it launched another attack on Israel. Linda Thomas-Greenfield issued this warning during an emergency UN Security Council meeting held on Monday evening, November 7, regarding the Middle East, following Israeli attacks on Iran. The US representative emphasized that recent Israeli attacks on Iran "should end the direct exchange of fire" between the two countries. Ms. Thomas-Greenfield referred to Iran's previous missile attack on Israel, stating that these attacks faced condemnation from the United States, G7 leaders, and several other leaders present at the meeting, who "confirmed that [this action] should have serious consequences for Iran." She also stressed Israel's right to defend itself, adding: "Our message to Iran is clear; if it decides to take further aggressive actions against Israel or US forces in the region, it will face severe consequences." Linda Thomas-Greenfield also stated that the United States did not participate in Israel's recent military operations against Iran. Netanyahu stated: "We destroyed 'death factories' in the attack on Iran." She emphasized that the United States does not want to see further escalation of tensions, saying: "We once again call on Iran to stop its attacks against Israel and its support for proxy groups." The emergency UN Security Council meeting was convened at Iran's request, with support from Algeria, China, and Russia. During the meeting, Barbara Woodward, the UK Permanent Representative to the UN, stressed that Iran should not respond to recent Israeli attacks. Ms. Woodward added: "Iran's escalating attack on Israel earlier this month was the latest in a long history of Iran's destabilizing activities in the region, including through political, financial, and military support for militias, Hezbollah, and Hamas." She emphasized that Iran must end its support for these groups, stating: "All parties must exercise restraint" and "a regional war is not in anyone's interest." However, Amir Saeed Iravani, Iran's Permanent Representative to the UN, accused Israel of "violating the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Iran and "violating international law" and the "UN Charter," calling for "explicit condemnation and decisive action" from the Security Council. He repeatedly accused the United States of "unconditional support" for Israel and "obstruction of the Security Council's duties," stating that US support has allowed Israel to "seriously undermine regional peace and security" with its attacks in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. Amir Saeed Iravani also stated that Iran's air defense "prevented extensive damage," reiterating Iran's "inherent right to respond" to Israel. The Chinese ambassador to the UN condemned the "violation of Iran's sovereignty and territorial integrity" during the meeting, while the Russian representative accused the United States of providing intelligence support to Israel in its attack on Iran. The Iraqi representative at the UN also emphasized that his country would pursue its complaint against Israel; just hours before this meeting, the Iraqi government spokesperson announced that Baghdad had filed a complaint with the UN and the Security Council regarding Israel's violation of its airspace. In response to Iran's extensive missile attacks on Israel, Israel announced early on November 5 that it had targeted military positions in Iran. Iranian officials reported the deaths of four military personnel and one civilian in these attacks, while also stating that due to the "successful performance of air defense," "limited and minor damage" was inflicted. However, various international media outlets, citing satellite images and expert statements, reported that the Israeli attacks early on Saturday caused serious damage to Iran's air defense systems and ballistic missile facilities.